Pinnacle Ridge wine maker Brad Knapp invites our readers to e-mail questions. Brad will select his favorite question and respond in our monthly e-newsletter.
This month’s question: "I always enjoy visiting your winery for the great wine and ambiance. I'd like to learn more about the oak wine barrels you use. What is their function in wine making? Where are they are made? How long are they used?" Sandy G. - Kutztown
Barrel questions are some of the most frequently asked in our winery tasting room.
Why are some wines stored in barrels? For the answer one has to go back in history. The use of oak has been prevalent in wine making for at least two millennia, first coming into widespread use during the Roman Empire. Wine is a liquid and is not as easy to transport as say, lumber or bread. Ancient wine producers wanting to store and ship wine would put the wine in the common container at the time for liquids. The container of the day for liquids was the barrel. Wine stored and shipped in barrels began to take on the taste of the wood. Folks on the receiving end of the wine became accustomed to the flavor of the barrel in their wines and they liked it that way.
Wineries around the world made their wine and stored it in barrels. When their wine was sold, they simply "rolled out the barrel" from the cellar and onto carts or wagons it went to be delivered. White oak is one of the few woods that has the ability to store liquids without the liquid weeping through the wood. This is a function of the cell structure of white oak. The wood staves (sections) of barrels are difficult to bend. Barrel builders found if the staves were heated, they would bend easily, thus facilitating the construction process of the barrel.
At the time, barrel makers did not realize the fire used to heat the staves also caramelized the sugars in the oak and changed the flavors of the wood from a resin flavor to toasty and smoky flavors. The modern barrel maker uses exclusively white oak for barrel making and the barrels are "toasted" to requested level. A wine maker can order medium light, medium, medium heavy or heavily toasted barrels. All affect the flavor the barrel imparts to the wine. With time, wine makers determined some wines tasted better when stored in barrel versus neutral containers (like concrete or stainless steel tanks or old wooden vessels that no longer impart flavor to the wine). Many reds are stored in barrels and typically, the only white that sees oak is Chardonnay.
Wine makers wanting to reproduce the flavors of French wines learned only recently (early 1960's) the importance of the source of white oak. Chalone winery in California is credited with being the first to import French barrels to make American wines. Chalone winemakers found this brought them a step closer to the taste of French wines. French barrels are made from white oak grown in France. The oak is a slightly different species from the one grown in the U.S. consequently imparting different flavors.
Wine makers today order barrels made of oak from a variety of sources. In the U.S. barrels come from Missouri, Minnesota, Kentucky, Oregon and Appalachian Mountain region trees. In France there are several different regions recognized for different flavors (Allier, Troncais, Vosges etc.). Hungarian oak is popular among wine makers and is making a comeback after changes in government policies towards exporting goods.
How long do barrels last? Barrels will last decades when properly cared for, however, they lose the ability to impart flavor to the wine after four or five years. Once the flavor is extracted oak barrels become "neutral." They can still hold wine and allow for very slow oxidation but they will not impart any "oaky" flavor to the wine. Most wineries sell their barrels once they are neutral.
How much do new oak barrels cost? High quality barrels made from American oak cost $350 to $400. Barrels made in France from French oak cost $800 to $1000. Hungarian oak barrels run around $650.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Franklin Hill Vineyards Introduces Pomegranate Wine
It's here! Our highly-anticipated Pomegranate Wine is now available at all four Franklin Hill Vineyards locations. You are invited to visit any of our locations for a complimentary taste of our newest specialty wine release - Pomegranate. (Pomegranate wine with a hint of peach.)
From Our Grapes to Your Glass...
It's getting warmer but there is still a chill in the air. We are busy warming things up in the kitchen preparing our wine and food pairings for the 2011 Lehigh Valley Wine Trail March Madness event!
Sir Walter's Red 1.5L bottles are back in all stores. And, of course, we are all excited about the success of our new Pomegranate wine. So come in for a taste and tell us what you think. We are looking forward to seeing all of you soon!
Cheers,
Franklin Hill Vineyards
Franklin Hill Vineyards Locations:
Winery
7833 Franklin Hill Road
Bangor, PA 18013
(610)-588-8708
Bethlehem
Main St. Commons
567 Main St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610)-332-9463
Easton
3625 Nazareth Rd.
Easton, PA 18043
(610)-559-8966
Tannersville
Fountain Springs West,
Suite #1, Route 611
Tannersville, PA 18372
(570)-619-7260
From Our Grapes to Your Glass...
It's getting warmer but there is still a chill in the air. We are busy warming things up in the kitchen preparing our wine and food pairings for the 2011 Lehigh Valley Wine Trail March Madness event!
Sir Walter's Red 1.5L bottles are back in all stores. And, of course, we are all excited about the success of our new Pomegranate wine. So come in for a taste and tell us what you think. We are looking forward to seeing all of you soon!
Cheers,
Franklin Hill Vineyards
Franklin Hill Vineyards Locations:
Winery
7833 Franklin Hill Road
Bangor, PA 18013
(610)-588-8708
Bethlehem
Main St. Commons
567 Main St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610)-332-9463
Easton
3625 Nazareth Rd.
Easton, PA 18043
(610)-559-8966
Tannersville
Fountain Springs West,
Suite #1, Route 611
Tannersville, PA 18372
(570)-619-7260
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Galen Glen Winery announces dates for 2011 Winemaker Dinners
SAVE THE DATES!
Per the Galen Glen Winery web site, the following are the dates for this year's Winemaker Dinners:
New releases from the Wine Cellar
Per the Galen Glen Winery web site, the following are the dates for this year's Winemaker Dinners:
- April 9 (Saturday)
- June 17 (Friday)
- July 15 (Friday)
- November 12 (Saturday)
New releases from the Wine Cellar
- Grüner Veltliner
- Vidal Blanc
- Vin Gris
- Erin's Auslese
- Barrel Twenty-Nine
- Stone Cellar Riesling
- Cellar White
- Zweigelt
- Holiday Raspberry
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Special deals and offers in February and March at Vynecrest Winery
Vynecrest Red, Summertime Red and DiVyne Red will all be back on the shelf as of today. As our way of saying thank you for your patience while we prepared these wines, we are offering an additional 10% off Vynecrest Red, Summertime Red and DiVyne Red through the end of the month. That's 20% off when you buy a case or more! If you can't make it to the winery, we are offering the same discount for online orders.
February Specials:
3 Pack of the Month - 3 semi-sweet Riesling for $30
Wine of Month - Pinot Noir, additional 10% off
March Specials:
3 Pack of the Month - All American special, any combination of Niagara and DiVyne Red for $25
Wine of the Month - Vynecrest White, additional 10% off
*additional 10% off is only valid for Vynecrest Red, Summertime Red or DiVyne Red.
Upcoming Events:
February
Feb. 26 - Music in the Vyneskeller - 1 - 4:30 p.m., Connie Edinger
March
March Madness runs every weekend in March. While this is a ticketed event, we still welcome visitors to come in for a tasting or glass of wine in the Vyneskeller. If you would like more information on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's March Madness program click here.
For more information visit www.vynecrest.com. Open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
February Specials:
3 Pack of the Month - 3 semi-sweet Riesling for $30
Wine of Month - Pinot Noir, additional 10% off
March Specials:
3 Pack of the Month - All American special, any combination of Niagara and DiVyne Red for $25
Wine of the Month - Vynecrest White, additional 10% off
*additional 10% off is only valid for Vynecrest Red, Summertime Red or DiVyne Red.
Upcoming Events:
February
Feb. 26 - Music in the Vyneskeller - 1 - 4:30 p.m., Connie Edinger
March
March Madness runs every weekend in March. While this is a ticketed event, we still welcome visitors to come in for a tasting or glass of wine in the Vyneskeller. If you would like more information on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail's March Madness program click here.
For more information visit www.vynecrest.com. Open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Pinnacle Ridge honored with Wine Excellence & Farm Show Awards
Pinnacle Ridge Winery in Kutztown recently shared with their friends and fans the list of awards that their wines have received so far this year. Here are the highlights.
2011 PENNSYLVANIA WINE SOCIETY WINE EXCELLENCE AWARD
On Sunday, January 16, the Pennsylvania Wine Society held its 9th Annual Wine Excellence Award ceremony. Also known as Oscar Night for Pennsylvania wine, the judges sampled 80 wines. They narrow the 80 entries down to 10 wines. Pinnacle Ridge’s 2008 Veritas and 2007 Veritas made the Top 10. The wine judged to be the best of the competition was PINNACLE RIDGE 2007 VERITAS! They also got honorable mention for their 2008 Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin.
2011 PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW
Are you are coming to Pinnacle Ridge from Route 222? Take the Krumsville exit. At the end of the ramp, turn right. Go 0.4 miles and bear right onto Eagle Point Rd. Travel 0.8 miles and turn left onto Gun Club Road. Travel on Gun Club Road for 1.8 miles to Route 737. Turn right onto Route 737 and travel 2.8 miles to the blinking light in Krumsville. Turn right. Pinnacle Ridge is 0.9 miles on the left. Travel time and distance are virtually the same. Explore the countryside!
2011 PENNSYLVANIA WINE SOCIETY WINE EXCELLENCE AWARD
On Sunday, January 16, the Pennsylvania Wine Society held its 9th Annual Wine Excellence Award ceremony. Also known as Oscar Night for Pennsylvania wine, the judges sampled 80 wines. They narrow the 80 entries down to 10 wines. Pinnacle Ridge’s 2008 Veritas and 2007 Veritas made the Top 10. The wine judged to be the best of the competition was PINNACLE RIDGE 2007 VERITAS! They also got honorable mention for their 2008 Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin.
2011 PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW
- 2007 Veritas – DOUBLE GOLD – BEST VINIFERA
- 2008 Pinot Noir - SILVER
- 2009 Quaff – SILVER
- 2008 Chambourcin - SILVER
- 2009 Chambourcin Rose’ SILVER
- 2009 Traminette – BRONZE
- 2009 Vidal Blanc – BRONZE
- 2008 Chambourcin Reserve – BRONZE
- 2008 Cabernet Franc - BRONZE
Are you are coming to Pinnacle Ridge from Route 222? Take the Krumsville exit. At the end of the ramp, turn right. Go 0.4 miles and bear right onto Eagle Point Rd. Travel 0.8 miles and turn left onto Gun Club Road. Travel on Gun Club Road for 1.8 miles to Route 737. Turn right onto Route 737 and travel 2.8 miles to the blinking light in Krumsville. Turn right. Pinnacle Ridge is 0.9 miles on the left. Travel time and distance are virtually the same. Explore the countryside!
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